THE MENACE OF GOAT'S-RUE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 267, 7 August 1919, Page 8

THE MENACE OF GOAT'S-RUE

SERIOUS DA MAG 11 TO PASTURES. By Telegraph .-Special Correspondent. Palmerston North, August C. Tho growing menaco of goat's-ruo was discussed at yesterday's meeting of tlio .Unnawatu County (Juuncil, when a letter was received from tlio Foxton Chamber, of Commerce, rctj nesting the council to declaro tout's-rue a nuxious weed, as in some instances, it was staled, it had killed out everything in Die way of feed. There were thousands of acres in Moutoa tree from it nt present, but there was a danger that the plant would spread, and many aues of land be ruined.

In tho course .if a general discussion, members nro unanimously of opinion that it would bu useless declaring tho nest a noxious weed and eradicating it from the district until it was dealt with at its source, hi this connection it was stated that tho weed had its source in tho upper readies of tho Manawn,tu River, in tho Gorge, and in tlio Woodvillo district. Members wero impressed with tho spread of the weed in tlio district, as stated by tlio Fox'.on body, and considered that rnless something was shortly done to retard its growth a tremendous arjii of good land would be rendered useless, if, however, tho land at present ali'ected was cleared of the pest, and the source of the weed left untouched, tho first big flood-would bring down enormous quantities of the seed, and resow tho weed in even greater quantities. According to Councillor Barber, tho shortening and deepening of tlio river, as had been recently proposed, would obviate the overflow of the river in its lower reaches, and prevent the seed being distributed over tho land as at present. Incidentally, tho chairman, Sir James Wilson, pointed out that according to some authorities goat's-ruo was in some countries cut when growing, and used for fodder. The council declined to declaro tho pest a noxious weed until such timo as the source of its growth was dealt with.